Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Sparks, NV
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 14 of 23 categories
Sparks
Nevada
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,938
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High
Population
108,025 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Sparks, NV
Pros
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 42°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,500
Property crime (2583.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Toms River by $9,074/yr
Toms River, NJ
Pros
66% less violent crime than Sparks
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $67k less ($356,100 vs $423,500)
Households earn $9,074 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 92°F
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Sparks
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Sparks
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.2 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Sparks
Summer Heat
6.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.1°F vs 85.5°F
Toms River
Median Income
$9,074
$92,012 vs $82,938/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
66% lower
134.3 vs 394.4 per 100k
Toms River
Median Home Value
$67k less
$356,100 vs $423,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,500⚠ High | $356,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,526⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,938 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 104⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.4% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.8% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.2°F ✓ Warmer | 41.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.4" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.8" ✓ Less | 23.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,025 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.4% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Sparks's cost of living index is 103.2 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Sparks is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Toms River leads 14 of 23 categories. Sparks wins 9 and Toms River wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Sparks to Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,500 vs $356,100 median home), income ($82,938 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Sparks, NV and Toms River, NJ are about 2,391 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.